Y’all know how I feel about meatballs. Right?
So this soup…Spring Minestrone with Chicken Meatballs did not have to leap off the page with bells and confetti to get my attention…nope, it merely needed to sit there, all cool and collected, and wait for me to read the word meatball. It knew it was just a few syllables away from having me in the palm of its hand.
I hit meatball. I was done.
This recipe is everywhere…Epicurious, Bon Appétit, etc… these are some fine endorsements. I wouldn’t normally lean toward a soup for spring…feels a bit wintery (and after the winter we had, I’m running as far and wide away from it as possible) but this baby changed my mind. Stocked with fresh veggies, chicken meatballs, cut spaghetti (I love that), and lots of Parmigiano….oh my – this soup will be a staple – spring, summer, winter and fall.
Since I’ve made a few meatballs in my day, I was very comfortable using my own recipe, but I adapted the rest to meet my chees-y needs, as in Parmigiano needs. What the addition of the cheese does to this broth is nothing short of a miracle. It melts in and co-mingles with the leek, garlic, carrot and spinach to create a flavor that is so reminiscent of an Italian grandmother’s cooking, you’ll be looking for the crocheted doilies and statue of St. Anthony in the corner.
This soup is a nice Sunday soup. To have a pot of this simmering away while you lazy about the day is just how I picture it going down. I also see it as a nice Mother’s Day dish…
Mm-hmmm. Yep.
That would be lovely.
Have a great weekend, friends!
Buon Appetito!
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Spring Minestrone with Chicken Meatballs
- Category: Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated Parmigiano, divided
- 5 plump garlic cloves, 2 minced, 3 thinly sliced
- 4 tsp. dried parsley
- 1 large egg, whisked
- Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 leeks, white and pale-green parts only, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 10 cups low-salt chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups cut spaghetti
- 2 cups 1/2-inch rounds peeled carrot
- 3 cups packed baby spinach
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a medium bowl, mix ground chicken, breadcrumbs, 3/4 cup Parmigiano cheese, minced garlic, parsley, egg, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
- Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Form (roughly) 35 meatballs, about 1/2-inch in diameter.
- Place meatballs on the pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
- In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add sliced leek to the pot; continuously stir until it begins to soften. About 3 minutes.
- Add sliced garlic; cook for 1 minute.
- Add chicken broth and water; bring to a boil.
- Stir in pasta and carrots.
- Simmer until pasta is al dente and the carrots are tender, 6 – 8 minutes.
- Add spinach and remaining 3/4 cup Parmigiano.
- Stir until greens are wilted and cheese is melted.
- Add baked meatballs to the pot.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Ladle soup into bowls.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and additional grated cheese.
{Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit.}
Ciao!
Best soup ever?? Yes, I think so!!
Hahahah! Yesss! So good! Thank you so much! 🙂
I love meatballs soups, and this one looks so good! It’s like comfort food for the summer! Pinning!
Indeed! Comfort food for the summer! Gotta have those recipes, too!! 🙂 Thanks, Neli!
I should make soup in the springtime more often, there a so many chilly days where’s it’s raining and meatballs would really hit the spot! Wonderful recipe, can’t wait to try it!
Thanks, Kari! This is a perfect chilly day soup! Enjoy, my friend!
I can eat soup anytime of year — especially one that looks this good! Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food!
They are the ultimate, aren’t they?! Thanks, dear! 🙂
I never thought I could add meatballs in my minestrone soup. Such a delicious idea and looks beautiful! Pinning!
Oh yes! But I am also of the belief that you can add meatballs to almost anything! Thank you, Ami! 🙂
Love minestrone! My mom used to make it all the time back home so this dish brings back so many lovely memories. I need to try your version with chicken meatball. Pinning!
I love that it possesses the quality to inspire happy memories! Thanks, Oriana! Enjoy!